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Relationship of phase angle with postoperative pneumonia and survival prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer: A retrospective cohort study

S. Kawata, E. Booka, J. Honke, Ryoma Haneda, W. Soneda, T. Murakami, T. Matsumoto, Y. Morita et al.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2025

194 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is an indicator of cell membrane health. Low PhA values reflect poor cellular function and low muscle mass. However, consensus regarding the appropriate cutoff value of PhA remains insufficient, and its impact on outcomes after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal malignancies is not well studied. We aimed to investigate whether preoperative PhA is associated with postoperative complication risk and survival prognosis and whether PhA decrease during the surgical preparation period is a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 194 patients who had undergone esophagectomy for esophageal malignancies. A PhA measured several days before surgery, with cutoff values of 5.0° for men and 4.2° for women, was used. The relationship between postoperative pneumonia and clinicopathological factors and between low PhA and postoperative outcomes and survival prognosis was investigated. The preoperative PhA decline and survival prognosis were analyzed in 134 patients whose PhA was measured twice before surgery.

RESULTS

Overall, 93 and 101 patients were classified into the low and high PhA groups, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that a serum albumin level lower than 3.5 g/dL and low PhA were independent risk factors for pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] = 3.40, P = 0.03; OR = 3.42, P = 0.03, respectively). The low PhA group…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 194 participants or records.

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